BOSTON -- At a station meeting earlier Wednesday, WCVB-TV/DT Channel 5 President and General Manager Bill Fine announced the appointment of Gerry Wardwell as assistant news director. Wardwell has been managing editor at WCVB for the past nine years. He first joined WCVB in 1998 as executive producer.

In announcing Wardwell's promotion, Fine said, "Gerry is one of the most respected and well regarded journalists in the industry. We looked at many candidates, but Gerry was by far the most qualified for the role."

Wardwell was born in Framingham and grew up in Bristol, Conn. A graduate of Emerson College, he got his start in the industry with a brief stint in radio before launching his broadcast career at CNN. He has also held reportorial and producer positions at stations in Georgia, Nebraska, Manchester, New Hampshire (WMUR-TV), Providence, Rhode Island (WJAR-TV) and Miami (WSVN-TV). Prior to WCVB, Wardwell was the executive producer at WHDH-TV, Channel 7.

During Wardwell's tenure as a leader in WCVB's newsroom, the station has won more than 80 awards, including multiple Associated Press Station of the Year honors and recognition for best newscasts and breaking news from organizations including the RTNDA Edward R. Murrow Awards and the National Headliner Awards.

News Director Coleen Marren said, "I'm thrilled for Gerry and for our entire news team. Everyone in our newsroom admires Gerry's tremendous work ethic and ability to lead."

Wardwell said, "It's an honor for me to assume this new role and continue to work with the most talented team of anchors, reporters, producers, editors and photographers in the Boston market to bring the best newscasts throughout the day to local viewers who depend on us for local, live coverage of news and events that impact their lives."

Wardwell and his wife live in the Boston area with their two young children.

His appointment is effective immediately.